PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Oliveira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cleber Ulrich (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cleber Ulrich will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Oliveira
vs
Ulrich

177 cm
26
152 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

176 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Rafael Oliveira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Cleber Ulrich!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Robert Twigg and Frank Dennis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Ulrich. Oliveira does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Ulrich. That snapped Oliveira's head back.
Ulrich tries a head kick but it misses.
Ulrich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oliveira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oliveira throws a body kick that misses.
Ulrich's coach down at Broken Arm JiuJitsu and Ground was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Ulrich's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Oliveira.

Oliveira clinches with his opponent.
Ulrich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ulrich wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ulrich wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Oliveira has him pressed against the cage.
Oliveira tries to score a body lock takedown but Ulrich shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Oliveira creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
I was talking to Oliveira's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Ulrich looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ulrich tries to break the clinch but Oliveira is controlling the position.
Ulrich working hard to break the clinch.
Ulrich working hard to break the clinch.
Ulrich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Oliveira creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Ulrich wants to get back to striking at distance but Oliveira won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Oliveira's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nice jab there from Ulrich.
Oliveira's corner calls for a 1-2. Oliveira obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Oliveira throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

It looks like Cleber Ulrich has been cut.
Oliveira goes for a double leg but Ulrich avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ulrich continues to drive forward.
Ulrich is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Oliveira misses with a head kick.
Ulrich feints the counter takedown.
Cleber Ulrich is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ulrich drops Oliveira with a beautiful combination! Oliveira stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Ulrich is looking for the KO!

It looks like Rafael Oliveira has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ulrich misses with a wild combination.
Ulrich tries to bum rush Oliveira with a series of wild strikes but Oliveira uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Ulrich pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A left and a right from Ulrich both land. Nice combination.
Ulrich looks winded!
Ulrich jabs Oliveira right on the nose. Oliveira blinks but takes it well.
Oliveira lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ulrich at a distance.

Oliveira has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira is trying to pull guard but Ulrich turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ulrich wants to get back to striking at distance but Oliveira won't allow it.
A body shot lands from Oliveira.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.

Oliveira manages to break the clinch.
Ulrich swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Oliveira makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Oliveira keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ulrich misses with a head kick.
Ulrich misses with a lunging right hand

and Oliveira counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Ulrich wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ulrich wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ulrich is trying to break the clinch but Oliveira is controlling him.
Ulrich can't break the clinch.
Oliveira's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Oliveira scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Oliveira has him pressed against the cage.
Oliveira stalling.
Oliveira scores with a shoulder strike.
Oliveira has Ulrich pressed against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Ulrich's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Oliveira jumps into guard, dragging Ulrich to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oliveira has a closed guard, preventing Ulrich from standing up.
Oliveira working a defensive guard but Ulrich manages to pass into side control anyway.
Oliveira wants to control but Ulrich postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich tries to stand but Oliveira is controlling his head.
Oliveira gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Oliveira is positioning himself well to prevent Ulrich advancing to mount.
Ulrich is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Cleber Ulrich will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Oliveira tries to clinch up.
Ulrich drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Oliveira defends it well.
Oliveira shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ulrich pinned against the cage. Ulrich gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Oliveira blocks a head kick by Ulrich.
A quick step to the side and Oliveira tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ulrich throws a head kick but Oliveira moves out of range.
Ulrich tries a head kick but it misses.
Oliveira takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Oliveira is looking to clinch.
Sloppy strikes from Ulrich. Those never looked like landing.
Oliveira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Ulrich.
Ulrich lets loose with a powerful body kick. Oliveira will feel that in the morning.
Oliveira shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ulrich pinned against the cage. Ulrich gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ulrich lands a high kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Ulrich.
Ulrich is breathing heavily.
Ulrich misses with a head kick.
No luck for Oliveira with that takedown attempt.
Ulrich throws a leg kick but Oliveira sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Oliveira shoots in looking for a takedown but Ulrich manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Oliveira's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Oliveira throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Oliveira dives in and grabs Ulrich's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ulrich pushes down on Oliveira's head and hops out.
A head kick misses from Ulrich.
As Ulrich tries to get set, Oliveira tries to push him back and clinch up but Ulrich manages to avoid the attempt.
Ulrich works over Oliveira's head and body with a nice combination.
Ulrich scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Nice takedown defense from Ulrich. No joy for Oliveira on that attempt.
Cleber Ulrich seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oliveira looks for a takedown but Ulrich sprawls well.
Ulrich throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ulrich throws a nice outside leg kick.
Ulrich looks to land a combination but Oliveira avoids it well.
Ulrich lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Oliveira shoots in but no luck this time.
Ulrich throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Oliveira blocks a head kick by Ulrich.
Oliveira shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Ulrich defends it nicely.
Ulrich throws a head kick that misses.
Oliveira scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Oliveira takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich throws a head kick that misses.
Ulrich throws a series of punches but Oliveira moves out of range.
Oliveira looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ulrich is fending him off so far but Oliveira persists. Nope, Ulrich circles away and we're back to standing.
Oliveira shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ulrich will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ulrich throws out a powerful jab.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Oliveira - that will leave a mark!
Ulrich works Oliveira's body with a nice hook.
Oliveira shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ulrich sprawls well. Ulrich wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Oliveira gets slowly back to his feet.
Ulrich throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich throws a head kick that misses.
Oliveira tries to counter with a takedown but Ulrich is quick to defend against it.
Oliveira avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ulrich swinging wildly here.
Oliveira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ulrich as he jumps to the side.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ulrich throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Ulrich throws a nice looking combination but Oliveira bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Oliveira jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
Oliveira lands a slapping body shot.
Ulrich rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Oliveira moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Oliveira shoots for a double leg takedown but Ulrich sprawls well. He's pushed Oliveira's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Oliveira clinches up with Ulrich and pushes him back against the cage.
Ulrich has had enough of the clinch but Oliveira keeps him there for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cleber Ulrich showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ulrich throws a combination that misses
and Oliveira counters with a left and a right that stings Ulrich.
Oliveira on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Ulrich has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Ulrich throws a right and a left that Oliveira avoids nicely.
Ulrich misses with a hook. Oliveira ducked under it nicely.
Oliveira is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Ulrich.
Oliveira slips a jab and a cross from Ulrich.
Oliveira throws a nice outside leg kick.
Oliveira lands with a good body shot.
Ulrich looks to land a combination but Oliveira avoids it well.
Oliveira displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Oliveira closes the distance and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ulrich tries to break free but Oliveira pushes him back against the cage.
Ulrich takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Oliveira taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Oliveira escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Oliveira closes the distance and clinches.
Oliveira is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ulrich to keep the fight standing.
Oliveira is looking to control Ulrich's arms but Ulrich gets an underhook and turns him. Now Oliveira has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oliveira is looking to take this one to the mat.
Oliveira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ulrich's efforts to push away.
Ulrich tries to circle away but Oliveira has him pinned against the cage.

Oliveira breaks the clinch.
Ulrich bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ulrich misses with a head kick.
Oliveira is looking to wear down Ulrich with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Oliveira scores with the left hand. Ulrich knows he should have avoided that one.
Ulrich throws a shot from downtown. Oliveira moves away and avoids it.
A head kick misses from Ulrich.

Oliveira has closed the distance and engaged Ulrich in a clinch.

Ulrich manages to break the clinch.
Ulrich swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Oliveira throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Cleber Ulrich seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich swinging wildly here.
Oliveira throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oliveira is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ulrich sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rafael Oliveira. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ulrich throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ulrich throws a sloppy head kick
and Oliveira makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Oliveira has managed to clinch.
Oliveira utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Ulrich can't break the clinch.
Oliveira is trying to drag Ulrich to the mat but Ulrich just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ulrich is trying to push Oliveira away but Oliveira has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ulrich wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Oliveira successfully pulls guard.
Oliveira controls Ulrich momentarily but Ulrich frees himself.

Oliveira has his foot on Ulrich's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ulrich works his way back into a safe position though.
Ulrich tries to stand but Oliveira is controlling from the bottom.
Oliveira trying to keep a closed guard but Ulrich is proving a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Ulrich wants to stand but Oliveira has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Oliveira is pulling down on Ulrich's head. It's preventing any offense from Ulrich, at least for the moment.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Ulrich misses with a series of wild punches.
Ulrich feints a jab promting Oliveira to slip. Ulrich then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Oliveira slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Rafael Oliveira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Oliveira lands with a shot to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Oliveira showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ulrich has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 28:29
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Dennis scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cleber Ulrich!